Dec 11, 2013

Let Them Eat Cake! Judge Rules Baker Must Serve Homosexuals.

A Colorado judge is ruling that a baker must provide cakes to gays despite the baker's religious beliefs. WorldDuh.com reports:

The order from administrative law judge Robert N. Spencer said Masterpiece Cakeshop in suburban Denver discriminated against a couple “because of their sexual orientation by refusing to sell them a wedding cake for their same-sex marriage.”

The order says the cake-maker must “cease and desist from discriminating” against gay couples. Although the judge did not impose fines in this case, the business will face penalties if it continues to turn away gay couples who want to buy cakes.

But this entire situation just raises a lot of questions in my head. For one, isn't this a violation of some sort of right to ignorance? I mean, it's not that much of a stretch to imagine that there are still people in the world, today, that would refuse to serve homosexuals. Am I justifying such behavior? Absolutely not, but if someone wants to be steeped in ignorance, then isn't that their right as a citizen of the United States? I know of plenty of people who don't like blacks or mixed couples. That's too bad for them. The article goes on to say:

Nicolle Martin, an attorney for Masterpiece Cakeshop, said the judge’s order puts Phillips in an impossible position of going against his Christian faith.

“He can’t violate his conscience in order to collect a paycheck,” she said. “If Jack can’t make wedding cakes, he can’t continue to support his family. And in order to make wedding cakes, Jack must violate his belief system. That is a reprehensible choice. It is antithetical to everything America stands for.”

And I agree.

My second question is, "Why are the couple fighting so hard to throw money at someone they know doesn't like them!?" I mean, honestly, yes, I know there is a battle to be fought, but is it really with people who do things like deny innocent people service solely for who they are? Do those people deserve any business, time, or money? I don't think so, and I would definitely write off the cake maker as a bigot and spend my hard earned money elsewhere. In this situation, it really seems like the couple are trying to make a point.

And don't get me wrong. As I have mentioned, I think it's wrong as hell for someone to discriminate against anybody for just about any reason. The baker, in this scenario, is, in my opinion, on the wrong side, plain and simple. But, why try and force him to do something for you, and why give him money?

If you want to fight the good fight against bigotry, you have to move forward, educate, and let time wash away those people who just don't want to do better.

In the end, the judge said:

“At first blush, it may seem reasonable that a private business should be able to refuse service to anyone it chooses,” Judge Spencer said in his written order. “This view, however, fails to take into account the cost to society and the hurt caused to persons who are denied service simply because of who they are.”